The Western rebellion

why did Somerset’s government struggle to cope with rebellions?

the thin resources of the Tudor state were overstretched with a substantial number of troops engaged in garrisoning the South of Scotland, while others were stationed in the south-east to ward off a potential French invasion

what were the main reasons for the rebellions

religious reasons, agrarian & social grievances (Midlands & East Anglia), resentment of taxation.

why were rebellions in the south west harder to supress?

lacked a resident aristocrat who could bring matters under control like in Sussex, Cambridgeshire & the Midlands

what were the long term causes of the rebellion

Religious grievances ran deeper than the prayer book. They wanted to reverse religious reforms which were destroying the way in which people experienced religion - the traditional rituals of church services & much of the Church’s wider role in the community was gone.

when was the western rebellion

1549 June-August

what were the short-term causes of the Western rebellion

religious factors (prayer book), taxation

why is the Western rebellion described as the ‘prayer book rebellion’

followed Cranmer’s 1549 Book of Common Prayer (and the priest’s use of it on Whitsunday)

what are the social reasons for a rebellion

Provoked by distrust between the rural labourers & landowners & grievances over taxation. Peasant labourers resented the sheep tax (an imposition by an uncaring & ignorant government in London) - made worse by its implementation by insensitive officials)

why was the rebellion caused by William Body

Resentment sprang from the activities of the much hated William Body, a commissioner investigating church property - led to fears of the confiscation of church goods & the destruction of church images

when did rebels initially gather

beginning of June in Cornwall & Devon

when was the first suppression of the rebels

4th August

when was the final defeat of the rebells

17th August

when did suppression of the rebels begin

28th June

what was the suppression of the rebels like?

the gentry lost their grip on their counties and any attempts to calm rebels were unsuccessful (e.g. Hellier was hacked to pieces & Sir Peter Carew fled to London)

why was Somerset’s supression so bad?

Somerset was acting on inadequate information & had limited resources at his disposal - he was also at the same time trying to suppress enclosure riots in the Midlands, maintain adequate forces on the Scottish border & watch for French aggression.

who supressed the rebellion

Lord Russell with a small army and minimal confrontation

what was the aftermath of the rebellion for the rebels

The resilience & commitment of the rebels remained strong & Russel had to deal with regard action and resistance - 3,000 people were killed.

what was the aftermath of the rebellion for the government

The gov operation further deepened hostility by illegally executing rebels without trials, and confiscating property.